DARKIE/BLACK BEAUTY/BLACK AUSTER/JACK/BLACKIE/OLD CRONY
The narrator of the story, a beautiful black horse. He begins his career as a
carriage horse for wealthy people but when he "breaks his knees" (develops scars
on his knees after a bad fall) he is no longer considered presentable enough and
is put to much harder work. He passes through the hands of a bunch of owners,
some cruel, some kind. He always tries his best to serve humans despite the
circumstance.
GINGER
A companion of Beauty's at Birtwick Park, she is named for her
chestnut color and her habit of biting, which is often how the
spice, ginger, is described. Ginger is a more aggressive horse due
to her history of bad owners. Beauty and Ginger meet for the last
time as broken-down cab horses in London, and later a cart with a
dead horse (who Beauty believes is Ginger), passes by Beauty.
OTHER HORSES AT BRITWICK PARK
Merrylegs—A short, white, handsome pony who is polite to humans and
horses alike. He is ridden by the young daughters at Birtwick Park, then
sent to live with a vicar who promises never to sell him.
Sir Oliver—An older horse who had his tail docked (cutting through the bone
of the tail in the name of “fashion”), to his great annoyance and
discomfort.
Justice—A calm, peaceful horse Beauty meets.
JERRY’S HORSES
Captain—A former army horse who witnessed horrific incidents in the
Crimean War, although he was well treated and received no serious
wounds. He lost his beloved master in the Charge of the Light Brigade.
Hotspur—A five year old horse bought to replace Captain.
OTHER HORSES
Rory—A job horse usually paired with Black Beauty. Became a coal carting horse after
getting hit in the chest by a runaway cart.
Peggy—A hired horse who cannot run very fast due to her short legs.
Duchess (Nicknamed "Pet")—Beauty's and Rob Roys mother, who encourages Beauty to
be good from a young age.
Rob Roy—A fellow black horse from Beauty's original farm, who is killed in a hunting
incident. It is later learned that he was Beauty's half-brother, an older son of
Duchess.
Lizzie— A high-strung, nervous mare who Lady Anne rides one day and
is spooked until Black Beauty comes to her aid with his rider.
BEAUTY’S GOOD OWNERS AND GROOMS
Farmer Grey — Beauty's first owner, a good kind man who trains him
well.
Douglas Gordon (Squire Gordon) -A very kind and loving master who
was also the squire.
John Manly - Black Beauty's groom at Squire Gordon's.
Joseph Greene (Joe) - A kind boy who befriends Beauty at Squire
Gordon's hall.
Jeremiah Barker — A kind owner who uses Beauty as a cab horse.
Owns Captain and Hotspur.
Farmer Thoroughgood — A kind owner who cares for Black Beauty
when he is at his weakest.
The three ladies — His final home where he spends the rest of his
days very well treated.
THE OTHER OWNERS . . .
Barry — A man who tries to treat horses well, but lacks knowledge on horse
care.
Mr Jakes — An owner who uses Beauty as a work horse, forcing him to carry
heavy loads.
Nicholas Skinner — A ruthless cab horse owner who wears out horses
through hard work and mistreatment.
THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!